Laura Scott (2)

There’s something about the way danger presses in when a child’s safety is at stake that hits deep, leaving an undeniable impact. In Texas Kidnapping Target, the stakes are sky-high, but it’s not just the twists and turns that keep readers hooked. The story’s heart lies in the relentless courage of a mother, fiercely fighting tooth and nail for her child, and the quiet strength of a lawman who steps into the chaos to protect them both. The tension, sharp and palpable, envelops the show more reader like an unyielding current, pulling them deeper into the story.

The ranch is more than just a setting—it serves as a silent witness to Mari’s unyielding resolve, the place where she’ll defend what’s hers with every ounce of strength. Her love for Theo is fierce and unwavering, never flinching in the face of fear or danger. It’s raw, visceral, and deeply moving, illustrating the profound lengths a mother will go to in order to keep her child safe.

Texas Kidnapping Target is a gripping tale of danger, determination, and love against impossible odds. The suspense pulses with urgency, and the heartfelt moments shine through, creating a thrilling ride from start to finish. While the romance offers moments of connection, a deeper, more consistent integration of faith could have further elevated the emotional and spiritual depth of the story.

I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing and story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability. show less

Ally Winter is a veterinarian who had her life savings stolen by her fiancé, who ran off with their vet assistant. In order to keep her head above water, she sold everything she owned and bought out the vet practice in her home town of Willow Bluff, Wisconsin; and also to be nearer to her grandfather, who recently had hip surgery.

When she goes to see her grandfather at his residence, Legacy House, she hears him arguing with a man who dashes past her and out of the house. She finds out that show more he's an attorney who wanted the other residents -- all elderly women who have their eye on Gramps -- to set up financial trusts. Ally is struggling for clients and is happy when someone wants her to walk their dog daily for a week -- but she's surprised when it's the attorney, Marty Shawlin; but he paid in advance so she's not saying a word.

The next day she goes to pick up his boxer, Roxy, and is stunned when she finds him dead. Calling the police also gives her a surprise when she sees that the detective in charge is none other than Noah Jorgensen, a football player she once had a crush on. But for now, she vows to keep Roxy with her and safe until Marty's ex-wife can contact her.

Still, when her gramps is questioned, she's not happy. She's even doubly unhappy when he demands an a lawyer -- all because he's hooked on true crime books and Dateline on television. Gramps thinks it makes him a better detective than Noah, and Ally is forced to go along with whatever Gramps is going to do anyway, just to keep him safe. But when Ally has someone attack her business that puts her in danger, she realizes that if they don't find the killer, the killer is going to find her...

This is the first in a new series and I found it delightful. It's not high literature, nor is it supposed to be. It's a fun, bright, cozy mystery that centers around a veterinarian and her grandfather, who is a hoot. The elderly man thinks he's more like Sam Spade all because he watches real life crime on television and reals true crime books. He drags Ally into his schemes, which causes tension with the real life detective. (Got that?) Anyway, it's a hilarious run around town, with Gramps and Roxy in tow, questioning people and watching him work his magic on the women he meets.

Which brings us to the widows he lives with who are all trying to get his attention -- and if that means going through Ally, then so be it. Not that she wants it; but she's got to be in contact with them, so she reluctantly is drawn into their circle, too.

But when the murderer discovers what's going on, they target Ally and she starts to realize she's in real danger. She notifies Noah of everything -- which I heartily approve of, by the way. I absolutely hate it when the protagonist learns something and then refuses to contact the police to give them the information (who would do that in real life?) So Ally has to work with Noah, which she finds a bit humiliating, considering her past, but does anyway.

Ally's life is one stumbling block after another, and she's a bit accident-prone; but she's fun to be around, and I love all the characters in this book. I would love it more if Ally would also get a cat, but we can't have everything, I guess. When the ending comes and the murderer is revealed, we know the clues are there, but the climax is different, and worth reading. A new mystery series that I will continue to read, and I enjoyed it immensely. Recommended. show less

Amish Holiday Vendetta by Laura Scott is a page turner. I was quickly drawn into the story. I liked the main characters, Elizabeth Walton and David McKay. They are characters that you will root for. There is mystery and suspense. I enjoyed all the action (you never knew what would happen next) which kept the story lively. There is romance (naturally). Elizabeth and David grow close during this challenging time in their lives. Elizabeth is a widow who did not have a happy marriage. The last show more thing Elizabeth wants is to marry again. Elizabeth works hard making and selling her beautiful quilts as well as doing the chores around the house and taking care of her deceased husband’s mother (who likes to be waited on). David is a woodworker who lives like the Amish (without modern amenities), but he is an Englisher. I like that we get to catch up with the characters (Shauna and Liam) from Hiding in Plain Sight. Amish Holiday Vendetta can be read as a standalone, but you are missing out on a captivating tale. Elizabeth’s faith is strong while David’s faith is new. They both trust God to get them through the difficulty. I like that they turned to God for assistance in their time of need (instead of taking matters into their own hands). I loved the ending which left me smiling. The author combined mystery, suspense, and romance into one fetching tale. Amish Holiday Vendetta is an engaging story with a demanding mother-in-law, a barn break in, perilous shots, a strongminded suitor, a caring community, and a dreadful discovery. show less

Veterinarian Dr. Abby Winter has moved back to her hometown for two reasons: one, to be with her grandfather, who had a hip replacement, and two, because her no-good cheating ex-fiancé stole their joint savings and ran away with their vet tech, leaving her with all the bills. Salvaging just enough to purchase a practice from a retiring vet, she's barely managing to keep her head above water, and is doing everything she can to stay in business.

While visiting her grandfather, she hears an show more argument between one of the widows at his group home and an employee - a girl who was hired to clean once a week. Abby can't but help notice the girl is wearing polka-dot stilettoes, and finds it odd she would do so. Later on, while walking Domino -- the standard poodle she's boarding -- he gets loose and runs off. When he returns, he drops a shoe exactly like Pricilla's at Abby's feet. Retracing Domino's steps, she finds the other shoe -- still attached to the body of Pricilla. Calling the police, Detective Noah Jorgenson isn't surprised to find her there, but somehow Abby becomes one of the suspects in the murder.

When Gramps learns of this, he thinks there's nothing to but solve the murder himself, figuring Noah needs all the help he can get. Now Abby is stuck between trying to keep Gramps out of it (she can't) trying to keep Noah happy (she can't) and trying to keep Domino and her own Boxer, Roxy, out of destroying her clinic (can she?) That is, unless the killer discovers what Gramps and Abby are up to, then all bets are off...

This is the second book in the Furry Friends Mysteries, and I found it just as delightful as the first. Once again we have the irrepressible and true-crime obsessed Gramps deciding he can do just as good a job as the police, and all Abby can do is stay with him to try and keep him from getting in over his head. But Gramps has no problem walking up to people and asking them about the murder, and Abby is afraid someone is going to take notice -- Noah. Which he does. Repeatedly. Which makes him develop an eye twitch. So the game is on, and all Abby wants to do is take care of her animals.

Never fear, in between crime solving her Gramps allows her to tend to her place of business, which is struggling but managing to stay in the black. But when a couple of burglaries occur and things start escalating, Abby turns to Noah for help, and he does his best to do his job...

The mystery was done very well, and even though I knew who the murderer was some time during the middle of the book (but only because I read a lot of mysteries), it was still intriguing to see how the story played out. There were a couple of subplots that were rather fun, too; and pulled us from one scenario back to the next.

Gramps, of course, was his usual self, thinking he's now better than the police and because he's a vet that he can take care of himself. He has a good sense of humor, and the man is really a hoot, and I love listening to him especially because he has no filter and says exactly what he thinks. It's fun and sometimes embarrassing for Abby, but oh, well...

When we come to the end we have a bit of a gripping climax that was worth the wait, and one can never tell what is exactly in the mind of a murderer. Only that they are unhinged in the first place or they wouldn't be killing people, right? This book is a fun read, a cozy that can be read in one evening (as I did) and I eagerly await the next in the series. Recommended. show less